Chess Puzzle #1J13C — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h4; rooks d1/h3; bishop b2; knight a4; pawns a2/b3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d6; rooks e6/e8; bishop d8; knight f6; pawns a7/c3/c5/c7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e6→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe1 (queen h4→e1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxe1# — rook e8→e1, captures queen, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, mate, mate in 2, middlegame, short. The combination ends with Rxe1# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 3br2k/p1p3pp/3qrn2/2p5/N6Q/1Pp4R/PB4PP/3R3K w - - 0 25

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